Raleigh artist, Chris Jones, finds beauty and inspiration in the Hill City

In the early 19th century, French painter Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes wrote a treatise entitled Reflections and Advice to a Student on Painting, Particularly on Landscape where he encouraged fellow artists to paint “en plein air”, or to paint landscapes while in the landscape. The act of immersing oneself in the elements, and painting the lines, light, and contrast exactly as they were rather than exactly as memory served, became the backbone of French landscape painting transforming from minor genre to primary art form as the 19th century progressed.

Today, artists around the globe still choose to paint en plein air—opting for mobile canvases and ever-changing environments as a way to keep their perspectives fresh and inspired. Chris Jones, a Raleigh-based artist, is one of them.

A renaissance man of sorts, Jones has always been a creator.

“When I was 8 or 9 years old, there was a guy on TV named Jon Gnagy [host of the TV series You Are an Artist and Learn to Draw],” he explained. “He would draw something and show how a shadow might follow the contour of the land. It was all black and white TV back then, but he was drawing with charcoal so it didn’t matter. I ordered his book, which was on sale, and I devoured it. I drew everything in it and learned a lot about composition and perspective.”

Jones continued to pursue art through adolescence and into high school, when he became interested in photography, architecture, and design. After graduating high school, he began pursuing a degree in architecture and design from NC State University’s College of Design while supplying photography to local ad agencies.

“When I got to College, though, I realized it was design and art that I wanted, rather than architecture,” he remembered. “The closest art school was in Chapel Hill, so I took a semester there. It was a young program at the time, so I went on to look at Baltimore College of Art and California Institute of Art. Somewhere along the way, I got sidetracked a bit.”

At the time, Jones was a drummer in a band—a passion that started when he was six years old and still continues to this day.

“I ended up recording two albums with a band named Glass Moon at Electric Lady Studios and then toured for two years,” he said. “We had recorded in the West Village of New York, and I loved the city, so I ended up moving to New York after the tour was over. I left design school and decided to pursue photography full-time instead.”

Within six months in New York, Jones was getting work as a location photographer—and that work continued for the next 25 or so years.

“When I wasn’t traveling on assignment, I would hang out with artists and friends, and I would draw or paint on and off throughout those years. After my wife and I raised our children, we retired and moved to the west coast. I moved back to Raleigh in 2019, and when COVID hit, I put my camera down, picked up a paintbrush again, and started painting everyday. Now I have a stack of paintings that I don’t know what to do with,” he laughed.

In a journey that may seem all too familiar to artists—one where passions are pursued and given the space to transform—Jones’s creative life has been a whimsical dance between music, photography, and painting. Each medium has offered a unique chance to view life in just a slightly different way.

“When COVID hit, there was this existential fear that we all had of, ‘What can I touch? Am I going to die? How many years do I have left to do what I’m doing?’” he explained. “I had already done photography and I had played drums all my life. I wanted to do painting and fine art. That was the third leg of my desires as a child, and COVID allowed me to explore it because I was at home.”

Now, Jones has been painting almost daily for over two years. He leverages his early love for architecture and design, and explores composition, light, shadows, and intensity of colors in architectural spaces in and around his home base of Raleigh.

“Raleigh is a very happening place that’s growing very fast,” he said. “Part of my job as an artist is to document that. I like drawing and painting buildings. Because of the architectural influence I had as a kid, I love seeing how Raleigh is growing and trying to paint that.”

But Jones’s exploration of architectural beauty and growing cities doesn’t stop in Raleigh. Jones recently traveled to Lynchburg and found inspiration.

“When I drove to Lynchburg, I drove down Grace Street by mistake,” Jones explained. “As I drove down Grace Street, I immediately saw two scenes that begged to be painted—the first was the historic Fire Station No. 2 building and the second was a gorgeous brick building where you could see where the facade had been at one point. When I have that instant strike, it says to me, ‘Let’s see if I can paint it.’ The same happened on Church Street. I could have easily painted there for two weeks.”

With his canvas and paint tools in tow, Jones stopped and painted the two Grace Street buildings en plein air.

“I was struck by [the Fire Station No. 2 building] because of the way the light hit it, plus it was beautifully designed in the first place,” Jones recounted. “I had this fantastic feeling of having been there in the day when it was being used, and seeing fire trucks come out of the door.”

Jones spent an afternoon getting the architectural lines and sunlight reflecting off the fire station just right before returning back home to Raleigh, but not before Lynchburg had a chance to leave an impression on him.

“Lynchburg is going through a renaissance of sorts, it seems,” he said. “I loved to see all of the hip looking youngsters walking around. If I didn’t love living in Raleigh, I’d be hard pressed not to want to move to Lynchburg.”

To see more of Chris Jones’s art, visit his portfolio at www.chrisjonespaints.com and find him on Instagram at @chrisjonespaints. He is currently accepting commissions, and his Lynchburg paintings are available for purchase.

A Lynchburg Midcentury Time Capsule Meets Its Perfect Match

Is it possible that sometimes a house chooses its owners?

Much like a rare antique sitting boxed up for decades in an attic, or a valuable painting relegated to the back rack at a thrift store, it waits for just the right old soul who will lift it up with a sense of reverence and say, “There you are.” It seems an impossible idea given the recent real estate market, but when you hear the kismet story of Hannah Poucher and Grant Kittrell, it may lead you to wonder if maybe, just maybe, their house chose them.

The Discovery
“We knew the second we looked through the windows that we wanted to live here forever,” Hannah, now 32, said of their love-at-first-home-sighting experience.

It was August 2019, and she and Grant, now 30, were making plans for a wedding and their future together, when something akin to Zillow lightning struck. A little listing with just five vague pictures popped up—a circa 1954 midcentury modern in the middle of Lynchburg. Within the hour, the couple found themselves peering through the windows, unable to believe their own eyes. It was meant for them, they knew it, but they needed to move fast.

“We weren’t pre-qualified, we had never looked at any houses before, we had to Google after we saw this place—’how to get a mortgage’—we didn’t know anything!” Hannah, a military recruiter for Liberty University, said. “But we knew if we didn’t jump at this, we wouldn’t get another shot at something like this in town.”
A bidding war ensued, but the home seemed to intuitively know who it wanted as its next caretaker. The couple closed in November 2019 and made a defining decision in honor of their new-old home.

“We wanted to live in the space for at least a year before doing anything radical,” Hannah explained. “We wanted to understand what it was like to be here as people within a space where it was designed to work like this. So, we decided no big changes for the first year.”

An Intentional Interior
It turns out, there was much the home wanted to teach them. Grant and Hannah took pleasure in learning about its history and thoughtful layout, taking note of each delightful detail, like how the abundant natural light shifted across the open-beamed ceiling throughout the day.

“We both, perhaps in different ways, came to this space with appreciation for art and design,” Grant, a writer, illustrator, and musician who works at Randolph College, said. “The midcentury modern style is very intentional and leans in the direction of sculptural, so there’s not a day that we don’t look around and say, ‘Hey look at that! Isn’t that really amazing?’ So, we are living in this space that we see as a piece of art, and really it is.”

Within that first learning year, they came to understand the unique reason for the way things were designed. Like the greater abundance of windows on one side of the house to allow for passive solar heat. Or the fact that the floors, which look like stone, are in fact stamped concrete designed to hold thermal mass, making what should be a cold underfooting somehow warm and earthy.

The biggest discovery, however, came in the form of a large manila folder filled with the home’s blueprints, original building materials, past pictures, and a booklet of original paint colors from The Frank Lloyd Wright Sierra Sunset Collection.

“When we found that folder, with the Frank Lloyd Wright paint palette, we realized that there was incredible intention behind it,” Hannah said. “So, for example, this color isn’t black, this is the Midnight color from that collection that is part of a larger palette. It was already here. We only painted the kitchen cabinets.”

Furnishings with Soul
While their commitment not to change the home’s interior held strong after moving in, it did need some furnishings. Some true-to-the-era furnishings.

They dove in with both feet and hands.

“Pretty quickly, Hannah became a master of the Facebook Marketplace,” Grant laughed. “She would stay up late at night looking for furniture. So as soon as I got off work, we would take off and go to places we had never seen before, out in the countryside, and pick up an old piece of furniture that someone maybe didn’t really know what they had.”

The hunt for pieces soon evolved into restoration of those finds as needed. Grant and Hannah became quick students of the specific approach to refinishing midcentury pieces.

“We aren’t talking about just sanding and staining, you’re talking about burning through wood veneer if you mess it up and how things aren’t stained, they are toned and sealed and lacquered,” Hannah said.

“I think the more work we put into a piece, the more we favor it.”

Her current favorite piece? A hutch from Lane Furniture, whose factory was once headquartered in Altavista. They discovered the piece in Rustburg, and it is now situated proudly in the area that opens from the kitchen into the dining area.

“We got it on Facebook Marketplace and the seller’s mother had bought it originally from Lane. So it’s a Virginia piece and the time period is right,” she recalled.

What you won’t find a lot of on the home’s ever-evolving furniture front are many new items.

Not because they are purists, Hannah explained, but because of what’s available on Marketplace, what’s within their budget, and what they can restore back to life now and perhaps replace later.

“I can probably count on one hand the number of new things that are in this house,” she said. “And while sustainability might not be the first thing we think about, it’s definitely a driving force. I think in terms of a level of purism, that’s what we are working towards.

It feels like such a perfect space, and we want to honor it with things from that time period.”

An Apartment Evolution
Of course, as with most self-imposed rules, there is almost always an exception. For Hannah and Grant’s “no changing the house for a year” rule, that exception came in the form of an efficiency apartment just across the home’s attached breezeway, where they cut their teeth on the basics of home renovation.

“We focused a lot of our initial energy there because it was a smaller space; we weren’t as overwhelmed and we figured we could learn in there and not have to live in it if we made any mistakes,” Hannah said.

While the essential layout existed when the couple bought it, the apartment needed some finishing work. They took to painting the kitchen cabinets the same green as the main home’s kitchen, updated the floors with a light luxury vinyl tile they laid themselves, and furnished the small bedroom, kitchen, and bath with interesting finds, such as a 1965 Sears Roebuck & Co. bar sourced in Roanoke and a white 1930s stove from Farmville. While not decade-specific to the home, Grant said, “when you bring something this old from the 30s, you’re bringing a long history into this space and the possibilities of whatever life it lived before.”

The renovations came with inherent lessons for the couple, and they reflect now that it better prepared them for future renovation jobs still ahead, like their dream of expanding the home’s main kitchen.

“We have learned to work with each other a little better and be patient with each other in different ways we didn’t know at that point,” Grant said. “Coming home each day and laying flooring every day…we learned a lot!”

From the Inside Out
Much is to be made of the home’s interior, and for good reason, but the property’s grounds are stunning in their own right. In fact, it is the marriage of the two, one spilling by design into the other, that creates a zen-like cohesion with nature from nearly every vantage point.

“We both love and appreciate a lush, green space and this has a lot of bamboo, a big maple, and some really intentional plant life,” Hannah said. “So when you’re looking out these windows, the lines are blurred between outside and inside.

It feels like a really natural space and really a sacred space almost.”

The pair have worked diligently to make conscious updates to the home’s exterior, including retrimming the formerly gray windows to a crisp black, something akin to adding eyeliner to an already lovely face. They cut back layers of bamboo and, as a reward, have witnessed more wildlife at play, from a family of foxes to finches taking up residence in one of the many birdhouses Grant made to a shy resident doe the couple affectionately calls “Jean.”

Most warmer nights of the year, you will find Hannah and Grant on their back patio area, nestled in wicker egg chairs, beverage in hand, dreaming into the future about their vision for the space. Their ultimate hope is to continue to collaborate with their cherished home in order to share it with others—an ever-welcoming, one-of-a-kind retreat.

“Mixing the inside and outside is always a goal,” Grant said. “Having a nature trail on the property is a dream, or hosting yoga or meditation classes here, maybe along with some creative writing workshops.

I would also love to make this place more sustainable, perhaps with solar power.”

It is little wonder that whatever the pair chooses to do next will be with great planning and purpose for the home that somehow, some way, chose them. Three years into their adventure, they still wake every morning with a wide-eyed sense of awe for their surroundings.

“I think, ‘How is this even a possibility? How could this even possibly be our home?’” Hannah smiled. “There is a lingering sense of wonder and excitement every day that we are in this space.”

Follow Along
Want to follow along with the home’s furnishing adventures and projects?

Check out Hannah and Grant’s Instagram page dedicated to the home @clerestorymod. “Clerestory” is the word for windows that are above normal ceiling height
and project into the roofline, which their home boasts in abundance.

Lynchburg’s Resource to Local Dental Care

Not sure where to go for your oral health or dental treatments? Look no further than the experts referenced in our Area Dental Guide. From braces for your kids to the dental professionals you want in your corner when there’s an issue, we have you covered.

5 Yorktown Weekend Getaways to Satisfy Many Types of Visitors This Season

From foodie excursions and girls’ weekends to art aficionados and history buffs, imagine a destination a short distance away that caters to all sorts of travelers. 

If you haven’t made a trip to explore Yorktown lately, fall is the perfect time to explore. You’ll find world-class amenities and attractions nestled in a place that maintains plenty of small-town charm and hospitality. 

A day spent in Yorktown is always worthwhile, but to truly experience all it has to offer, set aside more time in your schedule to explore. We’ve curated a few trip agendas with suggestions on places to stay, play and eat that will make ideal autumn escapes for all. 

ART AFICIONADOS 

Event: Yorktown Art Stroll, Sept. 25 

Stay: The former residence and gallery of well-known contemporary folk artist Nancy Thomas now serve as private cottages available to rent. Art lovers will appreciate looking for the many tributes to Thomas’ career featured throughout both cozy and eclectic accommodations. 

Play: Hop on the Yorktown Trolley and head up the hill to Main Street to discover treasures at On the Hill Gallery and Gallery at York Hall, featuring the works of more than 300 Yorktown-area artists—paintings, pottery, jewelry, quilts, photographs, holiday ornaments, stained glass and more. 

Eat: Dine al fresco next to the York River at Water Street Grille. Take your time and share seasonal craft cocktails and appetizers of local oysters, crab cakes and scallops casino, particularly on a Thursday night while listening to the sounds of the Rhythms on the Riverwalk Concert Series.

GIRLS’ WEEKEND 

Event: Yorktown Wine Festival, Oct. 1 

Stay: There is plenty of space to laugh, talk and reconnect over breakfast or in the lovely outdoor spaces at Marl Inn Bed & Breakfast. A variety of guest rooms and suites can host several friends. 

Play: Stroll the mile-long pedestrian waterfront walkway and then linger as long as you’d like in Riverwalk Landing shops like Gangsta Dog, Viccellio Goldsmith or Auntie M’s American Cottage. 

Eat: Relax and chat at the casual and welcoming Yorktown Pub. Large plates are perfect for sharing with friends, including the 1/2-pound burger and the steamed seafood sampler. Walk to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in Riverwalk Landing for a sweet reward to end your evening. 

FOOD ENTHUSIASTS 

Events: Yorktown Market Days, September and October Saturdays (excluding Oct. 1); Yorktoberfest, Oct. 23 

Stay: Enjoy a breakfast feast served by innkeeper Bill Cole at the York River Inn Bed & Breakfast. He prepares decadent dishes like glazed sausage cakes, spinach and artichoke pie and corn pudding. 

Play: Work off your meals by renting bikes, kayaks or paddleboards from Patriot Tours & Provisions. Rentals are launched from the private beach at the Watermen’s Museum. 

Eat: Journey beyond the Yorktown waterfront to The Edge District for innovative cuisine and gourmet tacos at Casa Pearl, locally roasted coffee flights at Column 15 or a double IPA at The Virginia Beer Co. 

ROMANTIC GETAWAY 

Event: Rhythms on the Riverwalk Concert Series, Thursdays in September and Oct. 6 and 13 

Stay: Relax on your beachfront balcony at Yorktown Beach Hotel with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and enjoy the view as you toast the opportunity for a couple’s escape. 

Play: Romance and sunsets go hand-in-hand, and being on the water aboard a Schooner Alliance sail enhances the allure. 

Eat: Share a beautiful plate of fresh sashimi at Umi Sushi and then indulge in dessert at Carrot Tree Kitchens. Homemade cakes and pastries are impossible to pass up—and you shouldn’t.

 HISTORY BUFFS 

Event: Yorktown Day, Oct. 19; York County Vintage Market, Nov. 5 

Stay: History aficionados will appreciate the story of The Hornsby House Inn. The colonial-style home was built in 1933 by John William “JW” Hornsby and has remained in the family for three generations. 

Play: Immerse yourself in Yorktown’s world-class museums. Experience 18th-century living history at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown through a Revolution-era farm and Continental Army encampment. Of course, history lovers can’t miss the Colonial National Historical Park, where they can ask questions during a tour of Yorktown Battlefield and watch a film about the Siege of Yorktown at the Visitor Center. 

Eat: Mobjack Coffee Roasters and Petite Café offers coffees, espressos, sandwiches, sweets, beer and wine in the circa 1726 Cole Digges House on Main Street. The eatery also partners with Colonial National Historical Park on Stroll with a Historian history tours. 

For more information about Yorktown weekends and to check out the complete events calendar, check out VisitYorktown.org.

Mark Your Calendars

For a full list of events, be sure to check out our Calendar of Events page. Also, if you have an event you would like to submit, you can do that too!

September 17
Lynchburg Beer, Wine, and Cider Festival
The 13th Annual Lynchburg Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival will be held on Saturday, September 17,
at the Riverfront Festival Park from 12 to 7 p.m.

Enjoy over 50 different options of craft beer, ciders, and wine all hand-picked and selected from right here in the state of Virginia. Over 50 local artisans, delicious food, and live music round out this event. Visit lynchburgbeerandwinefestival.com for info.

September 17
Lynchburg Art Festival
Join the Lynchburg Art Club for the 49th Annual Lynchburg Art Festival on September 17th (rain date: September 18th) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. under the big oak trees on E.C. Glass High School’s grounds. For nearly 50 years, the Lynchburg Art Festival has served as a significant cultural touchstone for our region, bringing together a diverse range of artists, small businesses, and community members. Professional and student artists will show and sell their work, forging meaningful connections within our community. More info at lynchburgartclub.org.

September 30 – October 2
Masterworx Community Theater Presents: Beauty and the Beast
Based on the 1991 Disney animated feature and the late 18th-century classic French fairy tale, Beauty
and the Beast tells the story of Belle and her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster, who was long ago trapped in his gruesome form by an enchantress. Audience members will be entranced in this classic tale. Visit academycenter.org for ticket information.

October 1
Get Downtown
Get Downtown returns after a two-year hiatus! Covering eight blocks on Main Street in downtown Lynchburg, Get Downtown is Lynchburg’s biggest street festival. The best part? It’s completely FREE to attend. Enjoy the sights and sounds of street performers and musicians, and shop from local makers, artisans, and food vendors. Visit getdowntownlynchburg.com for more details.

October 8-9
Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival
The 30th Annual Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival takes place on the grounds of Rebec Vineyards. Enjoy a variety of garlic and garlic foods, four stages featuring live bands, and unique vendors. Plus, sample delicious Virginia wine from over ten wineries. It’ll be a fun-filled day for everyone. Visit rebecwinery.com for tickets and event details.

---

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to 221 Tap & Table
Hello! to Mission House Coffee in Cornerstone
Hello! to Insomnia Cookies
Hello! to Market at Main on Wards Road
Goodbye to Ebb & Flow
Hello! to Berglund Toyota’s new location on Forest Road
Hello! to Apocalypse Cidery & Winery in Forest
Hello! to Amazing Lash Studio in Forest
Hello! to Hill City Donuts in Downtown Lynchburg

I remember the first time I felt truly impacted by art. I was on a class trip to Washington, D.C., and we were in the middle of a tour of the National Gallery. Along an unassuming wall amidst stunning landscape paintings was Thomas Cole’s four-part allegorical series, The Voyage of Life. In it, Cole depicted a pilgrim’s journey through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Each scene showed an aging man’s voyage along the River of Life and the various trials and influences to be found along the way.

What was so moving about the quartet of paintings wasn’t the weight of the brush strokes, or the way Cole used light to mesmerize the viewer and move their eye across the scene. Rather, it was the unspoken message that the paintings conveyed. Even as a young student, I sensed the urgency and eternal hope that Cole depicted in those paintings. Now, whenever I am in D.C., I make my own pilgrim’s journey back to those paintings—each time finding a new detail that adds another piece to the narrative.

That’s what is so special about art: It makes you pause, consider your own position, and it sticks with you.

In putting together this issue, I discovered something else that makes art so special. It builds community.

Our city is full of inspiring, hardworking, and creative artists, and this issue only begins to brush the surface of that community. Within these pages, you’ll read stories of veterans using art to overcome their service injuries—which you’ll find on page 49—as well as stories of art working alongside medicine to bring a new level of healing to patients. You’ll find that story on page 31. You’ll also find stories of people coming together because of art, like the LoveLYH Flea Market on page 53, and the legacy of the Academy Center of the Arts on page 62.

If you haven’t taken the time to explore the art and artists within our city, I hope this issue encourages you to. Start with a First Fridays tour of Lynchburg’s galleries, or simply pop into one that catches your eye. Visit any local coffee shop and appreciate the local art they have on display. Or even try your hand at creating art yourself at one of the many classes our city has to offer—such as the Jackson Heights Studio on page 45. At the very least, take a moment to support the artists in your own circle, whether that means buying a piece for your home or simply supporting them on social media. Our city is vibrant and alive because of them.

I hope you find a piece of art—whether it’s music, pottery, paintings, or dance—that speaks to you like The Voyage of Life did to me so many years ago. I’m grateful that I don’t have to travel to D.C. any time I am looking to be inspired by art, though—I simply need to turn a corner in our own beautiful city.

Megan Williams, Managing Editor
megan@lynchburgmag.com

Create a calming landscape with low-maintenance plants

Imagine stepping into your yard in the early morning with a cup of coffee in hand. The steam from your mug gently rolls into the thin layer of fog that has settled over the space.

It’s that perfect time of day when the crickets have ceased their nightly chatter, but the birds have yet to rise. It’s quiet and calm.

You deeply inhale the crisp morning air, open your eyes, and take in the stunning landscape before you. You’re not overwhelmed by the weeding that needs to get done, or the plants that are overgrown. Why? Because you’ve created a calming landscape with low-maintenance plants, so you can continue to enjoy peaceful moments just like this.

If this type of restful scenario is exactly what you’re looking for at home, we have rounded up a few native plants, upright perennials, and ornamental grasses that are inspired by nature and guaranteed to create a no-fuss garden oasis right in your backyard.

Upright Perennials

Perennials are plants that return year-after-year with no need to replant. When you’re planning your low-maintenance garden oasis, look for sturdy perennials that grow well in our zone—7a.

Russian Sage
Russian sage has the same stunning pale green foliage that common garden sage has, but it’s accompanied by gorgeous purple flowers. A full sun perennial, Russian sage is deer resistant, drought tolerant, and pollinator friendly. It also grows in pretty much any soil type and requires zero maintenance—win, win.

Because this is a relatively tall plant, consider how your overall garden will layer and plant these toward the back or up against your walls or fencing.

Bloom Time: Early summer to fall
Height: 2 – 4 feet
Spread: 2 – 4 feet

Autumn Joy Sedum
Autumn Joy Sedum is considered a succulent because it stores its water in its leaves and prefers dry, poorly fertilized soil, making it the perfect no-water, low maintenance plant!

When the flowers bloom, they start out pink and turn into a beautiful bronze color as the weather cools. Because it blooms fairly late in the season, it’s a great cool weather nectar source for pollinators.

Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Height: 18 – 24 inches
Spread: 18 – 24 inches

Daffodils
You’re undoubtedly familiar with these cheerful yellow beauties. They’re a landscaping favorite along roadsides and cityscapes because they’re a “plant it and forget it” type of flower.

To stick with a more pastel or neutral color palette for your calming oasis, opt for white or coral varieties rather than bright yellow.

Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 18 – 24 inches
Spread: 12 inches

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are not only low maintenance, attractive additions to your landscape, but they are excellent at providing food and shelter for birds.

Pink Muhly Grass
This grass is a showstopper due to its pink pillowy plumes.

Plus, it blooms in late summer to fall, so it’s a great option for introducing subtle color late in the season.

Pink muhly grass is less invasive than other ornamental grasses, so you can keep it relatively contained within your planned landscape.

Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Height: 3 – 4 feet
Spread: 3 – 4 feet

Blue Oat Grass
Blue oat grass is an easy-to-care-for ornamental grass with a mounding habit, which means it stays self-contained. With steel blue blades of grass, it will add a serene color to your garden oasis.

And while the color doesn’t typically arrive until fall, you will still benefit from gorgeous beige and golden colors starting in June.

Bloom Time: Fall
Height: 2 – 4 feet
Spread: 2 – 4 feet

Maiden Grass
Maiden grass boasts a graceful form on a large frame.

With coppery flower heads that appear in early fall and become silvery white in the winter, it’s a landscape addition that provides visual interest almost year-round.
Maiden grass can become very tall, so only plant this ornamental grass if you have the space.

Bloom Time: Fall to winter
Height: 3 to 8 feet
Spread: 3 to 5 feet

Whether you pace yourself through planting to build your garden oasis over time, or jump right into a complete garden at once, these perennials will put you at ease and allow you more time to simply enjoy your beautiful landscape.

A group of break dancers get an upside-down glimpse of downtown Lynchburg during Get Downtown. In past years, Get Downtown, the largest street festival in Lynchburg, has welcomed over 10,000 festival goers across eight city blocks. Vendors, artists, crafters, musicians, and dancers all take to the streets and multiple stages to celebrate life in Lynchburg.

Get Downtown returns this year after a two-year hiatus. Mark your calendars to Get Downtown with the Lynchburg community on October 1 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. This family-friendly event is a local and visitor favorite and one you won’t want to miss.

---

Photo Courtesy of Downtown Lynchburg Association

For many newly engaged couples, wedding planning seems like a dream—until you are faced with dozens of choices all at once. From the venue to the dress (and all of those little details in between), it’s hard to know where to start!

We are here to help. Our Best Of Bridal Picks list tells you who recent brides and members of their wedding parties recommend in 27 categories. Read below to see who made the list!

---

Our 2022 Bridal Pick Winners

---

Our 2021 Bridal Pick Winners

---

Our 2020 Bridal Pick Winners

What’s better than art that stays with you wherever you go?

Tattoos have been around for thousands upon thousands of years—since around 8000 B.C.! To pay tribute to an ancient art form that is still widely loved today, we talked with a handful of Lynchburg’s tattoo artists to hear what they have to say about their favorite tattoo styles and why you should consider one or more of those styles for your next (or first!) tattoo.

Artist: Will Hunter, Owner of Hill City Tattoo
STUDIO: Hill City Tattoo
Favorite Style: Neo-traditional/new school style
What Will has to say about this style: “I enjoy doing tattoos in a neo-traditional/new school style. The thick lines and bright colors are just fun. As old school artists say, ‘Bold will hold!’”
To make an appointment: (434) 237-5037

Artist: Jonathan Schultz
STUDIO: Caspian Tattoo
Favorite Style: Neo-traditional
What Jonathan has to say about this style: “I prefer Neo-Traditional designs because they are bright and bold with high contrast. They age well and are fun to look at. If you can tell what it is from across the room, then you can tell what it is for the rest of your life.”
To view Jonathan’s portfolio: Instagram: @jonnschultz
To make an appointment: JsTattooer@gmail.com

Artist: Hannah Burnside
STUDIO: Caspian Tattoo
Favorite Style: Black and gray illustrative
What Hannah has to say about this style: “I love having creativity with the design and doing all the little details. I gravitate toward bold outlines and high contrast. I enjoy tattooing botanicals and traditional inspired designs in this style.”
To make an appointment: (434) 237-1900

Artist: Andrew Montgomery
STUDIO: Caspian Tattoo
What Andrew has to say about tattooing: “Tattooing is a unique art form that allows an individual to be marked for a lifetime. Choosing one style from an artform that’s as ancient as humanity is difficult. What I enjoy about tattooing is the bond that can be created between an artist and client when creating a permanent piece of art.”
To make an appointment: (434) 237-1900